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Friday, December 17, 2010

On the Forecast: Gameweek 18

Not a bunch of pushovers

Tonight is the Champions League & Europa League draw. All premiership teams are safely through as group champion except Arsenal. They fancy one of the two, Real Madrid or Barca. Good luck on meeting Schalke, Gunners! Rundown on this week fixtures:-

SUN vs BOL

Home: Sunderland lack of defensive cover (most are injured); Elmohamady may play; They remain strong defensively. Away: Try to keep faith with Elmander; Bolton know how to play away tactically; Defense is destined to concede

Prediction: Draw

ARS vs STK

Home: Strong at home but still lost three times; Either Fab or VPersie will play from the start; Expect less output from Nasri; Backline remains fragile. Away: Surprisingly lost at home to Blackpool; Hard to break and rely heavily on setpieces; Not a well travel team; Play your Etherington & Delap.

Prediction: Home Win

BIR vs NEW

Home: Exceptionally strong at home especially defense; Special mention to Ben 'Safe Hands' Foster; Not known for attacking and strike force remains unproductive; I hope Ridgewell scores. Away: First away game under new manager; They welcome back Williamson and Barton; Their best weapon will be Carroll head.

Prediction: Draw

BLA vs WHAM

Home: First match for assistant manager; Very strong at home after punishing second from bottom Wolves last time out; Home defense & Gamst Pedersen show. Away: Manager has three games to save his job; Attacking lineups keep rotating; Bad travelers and realistically the best result they can hope is draw.

Prediction: Home win

WIG vs AST

Home: They haven't lost at home in five matches; Enough firepower to turn to; Result is essential for Nzogbia & Co to get out from the relegation zone. Away: Houllier arrival destroy their solid defense and cause disharmony; Players swapping is expected in January; Just beware of their high-flying wingers.

Prediction: Home win

Team England reunited

LIV vs FUL

Home: Good scoring record for Torres at home and a midweek rest; Gerrard is fit; Win at home is necessary but I reckon defense to concede. Away: They have lost three of the last four away games; Too much attacking burden on Dempsey; The fighting spirit still remain.

Prediction: Home Win

WBA vs WOL

Home: Tschoyi to play Odemwingie role in this Black Country derby; Brunt needs one yellow to be suspended; Expect a roller coaster ride. Away: Deserved win last time out; To continue to play attacking and forget the defending part; Midfield remain the source of output.

Prediction: Draw

BLP vs TOT

Home: Their home record is worse than away; Not known for defending but still registering a rare clean sheet at Stoke; The threat of cancellation is looming due to predicted snow. Away: Rumors said that VDV is back; Never forget to attack in numbers; If you score two they can score three.

Prediction: Draw

CHE vs MANU

Home: They look good against Spurs; Lampard is back and expect Drogba to get in the scoresheet again; If they lose this, the title will go to Manchester United. Away: The only unbeaten team in the league; They will remain strong against the top four; Berba to be unleashed; They will not go home empty handed.

Prediction: Draw

MANC vs EVE

Home: Tevez is home sick but still has an exceptional commitment; In the mean time, he will show his worth with his volatile friends; Outstanding home record. Away: They recorded four draws in their last four away games; Strong wingers but poor finishes; Defense keep conceding; The sign all shows for the home win; Sorry Everton.